Description
Cheesy chicken and rice casserole delivers comfort on a plate with tender chicken nestled in creamy rice. Melted cheese and golden breadcrumbs create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 375F (190C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend raw chicken pieces, uncooked rice, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, milk, and seasonings until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixed ingredients into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an uniform layer across the surface.
- Securely cover the dish with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to trap moisture during cooking.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, monitoring the rice’s tenderness and preventing excessive drying.
- After initial baking, carefully remove the foil and generously scatter shredded cheese across the casserole’s surface.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely and develop a golden appearance.
- Optional: Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the melted cheese and activate the broiler for 2-3 minutes to create a crisp, golden-brown topping.
- Allow the casserole to rest and settle for 5 minutes before serving, which helps maintain its structure and enhances flavor melding.
Notes
- Choose skinless, boneless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that cooks evenly and absorbs flavors perfectly.
- Substitute brown rice for added fiber and nutrients, but increase liquid and cooking time by 10-15 minutes to ensure proper tenderness.
- Create a gluten-free version by using cornstarch instead of cream of chicken soup and gluten-free breadcrumbs for the topping.
- Enhance flavor by sautéing fresh garlic and diced onions before mixing into the casserole for a more robust taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 355 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg